Crofton church hosting ethical fair-trade Christmas Bazaar

Courtesy Photo / HANDOUT

Maureen Fuller (left to right), Sister Katherine O'Donnell, Jennifer Bulbin and Alice Soluri stand before a table displaying some of the fair-trade items available at this weekend's Ethical Trade Bazaar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crofton.

Maureen Fuller (left to right), Sister Katherine O'Donnell, Jennifer Bulbin and Alice Soluri stand before a table displaying some of the fair-trade items available at this weekend's Ethical Trade Bazaar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crofton. (Courtesy Photo / HANDOUT)

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crofton is holding its 6th Ethical Fair-Trade Christmas Bazaar, as well as raffling a quilt made by the church’s Seton Stitchers, Saturday Nov. 3, 2-6 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The fair-trade sale benefits disadvantaged artisans and farmers from around the world.

The raffle donations made for the quilt will support the Seton Stitchers’ yearly work creating free quilts and afghans for the children of Sarah’s House, a local homeless shelter.

“Each gift bought gives artisans and farmers the opportunity to work their way out of poverty,” said Pastoral Associate Sister Katherine O’Donnell. “The bazaar — the work of human hands — is not a fund raiser. All proceeds are given back.”

Christmas items will also be available, including chocolate Advent calendars, hand carved nativity sets and intricately painted ornaments made from gourds.

The fair-trade items come from artisans and farmers located around the globe. Over 12 countries will be represented in the sale including India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ecuador, Haiti, El Salvador, Germany, the West Bank and Nepal.

Over 20 tables of fair-trade items will be for sale in the Church’s large parish center.

The Seton Stitchers’ auctioned quilt is their only fundraiser of the year. Funds from the fair-trade sale are kept separate from the monies raised from the quilt.

This year’s queen-sized quilt is a unique blend of patterned and colored squares, predominately purple, with the theme of hydrangeas. The edges of the quilt are finished with a hydrangea cloth border and the underside is a darker shade of purple accented with flower petals.

It took three women, Kay Ford, Pilar Joy and Bunny Shealy three months to complete the quilt. It is made exclusively of 100 percent cotton fabric and acrylic yarn.

Five other quilts and five afghans will also be available in a silent auction at the fair-trade sale. The winners will be announced at the end of the sale on Sunday.

“We’re trying to bring the values of our faith to the marketplace and to raise the consciousness of our parishioners in purchasing goods that are produced in an ethical way.

The public has been very responsive to this.”

Photos featured in the Around Crofton column

Refreshments will be available for purchase during the sale, including fair-trade coffee, soda, snacks and donuts Sunday morning.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is just off Davidsonville Road at 1800 Seton Dr. in Crofton. Items may only be purchased with cash or check

Baby pantry fundraiser

Diners at Chick-fil-A Waugh Chapel or Chick-fil-A Crofton can donate to the local baby pantry Nov. 12, 4-8 p.m. Guests need only tell cashiers they’re there to support the baby pantry and Chick-fil-A will donate 15 percent of sales to the non-profit. Supporters may make a donation of a pantry item, such as diapers or formula, at the Crofton, Carver Road location, in order to receive a free raffle ticket for a prize donated by Chick-fil-A.

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